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melissabeth's review
5.0
I rarely give a book 5 stars. It has to be a book I will look forward to rereading soon and buy copies to give to others to read.
Having said that this is a 5+ star book. A must read. Even better, listen to the audio read by the author.
Outstanding, highly recommend it!
Having said that this is a 5+ star book. A must read. Even better, listen to the audio read by the author.
Outstanding, highly recommend it!
chrissymcbooknerd's review
5.0
I found My Seven Black Fathers on a whim, as I had decided to select from my library whatever book was most recently checked in -- and, on this particular day, that book happened to be by Will Jawando.
I didn't expect much, since I'm not familiar with the author, nor have I ever noticed the book as I normally browse. But I guess those are the books that take you most by surprise -- the ones you never saw coming.
Jawando's recounting of the seven black men who made profound impacts on his faith, confidence, integrity, self-identity, career, relationship, and mental wholeness were both entertaining and endearing.
I found myself flipping pages at 2am on a random Wednesday -- when I definitely had to be at work the next morning -- just because Jawando really has a way of making his own story feel personal and fulfilling to the reader as well.
I'm glad My Seven Black Fathers was the gateway book that will get me back to reviewing, because it's always feels good to start out strong with a book that you know will resonate with such a wide audience.
5 stars.
I didn't expect much, since I'm not familiar with the author, nor have I ever noticed the book as I normally browse. But I guess those are the books that take you most by surprise -- the ones you never saw coming.
Jawando's recounting of the seven black men who made profound impacts on his faith, confidence, integrity, self-identity, career, relationship, and mental wholeness were both entertaining and endearing.
I found myself flipping pages at 2am on a random Wednesday -- when I definitely had to be at work the next morning -- just because Jawando really has a way of making his own story feel personal and fulfilling to the reader as well.
I'm glad My Seven Black Fathers was the gateway book that will get me back to reviewing, because it's always feels good to start out strong with a book that you know will resonate with such a wide audience.
5 stars.
robinlovesreading's review
5.0
In this touching memoir by Will Jawando - Yemi being his African name - he was determined to become a statistic on the positive side of America’s skewed racial balance sheet. Facts prove that racism is a multi-system disease and there might not be a cure. The author, in this self-narrated audiobook discusses seven men who made a huge impact on his life. Some of these men include his stepfather, Joseph Jacob, Mr. Williams, his math teacher, Barack Obama and others.
Race and family in America take on new meaning in this introspective book from a man who took on a role in the political world. Throughout his journey, Mr. Jawando illustrates how these men all played pivotal roles in his life. Also, he also sought out his African roots, and that helped to further mold him. His eventual reconciliation with his biological father was something that helped him tremendously.
Although this book is written strictly from the author's perspective, his strong statements about the issue of racism really hit home for me. One such quote that really resonated with me is "enthusiasm, eagerness, and a desire to be acknowledged for something positive--all qualities that were encouraged and rewarded in my white peers while they were discouraged and penalized in me." This is Will Jawando's personal experience. This is my personal experience as well. He also showed how we often internalize injustice and unfair treatment because "repetitive chastisement narrows us".
This book was captivating and uplifting and will be with me for a long time. I hope this author writes more books like this because change is needed in today's world.
Many thanks to Ferrar, Straus and Giroux and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please also enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/zvzbNrKezrQ
Race and family in America take on new meaning in this introspective book from a man who took on a role in the political world. Throughout his journey, Mr. Jawando illustrates how these men all played pivotal roles in his life. Also, he also sought out his African roots, and that helped to further mold him. His eventual reconciliation with his biological father was something that helped him tremendously.
Although this book is written strictly from the author's perspective, his strong statements about the issue of racism really hit home for me. One such quote that really resonated with me is "enthusiasm, eagerness, and a desire to be acknowledged for something positive--all qualities that were encouraged and rewarded in my white peers while they were discouraged and penalized in me." This is Will Jawando's personal experience. This is my personal experience as well. He also showed how we often internalize injustice and unfair treatment because "repetitive chastisement narrows us".
This book was captivating and uplifting and will be with me for a long time. I hope this author writes more books like this because change is needed in today's world.
Many thanks to Ferrar, Straus and Giroux and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please also enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/zvzbNrKezrQ